Dispenser for laundry machine



March 28, 1961 R. P DE LISLE EI'AL DISPENSER FOR LAUNDRY MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 4, 1957 .l7 1 VZ7 27115 Raymund P Dell's/e Wi/l/am G. Gf/cbr/sf QM/W29 :5

March 1961 R. P. DE LISLE ETAL 2,976,879

DISPENSER FOR LAUNDRY MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 4, 195'? 1m MI I 62 Raymond E PeL/s/e VVI'I/I'qm G. Gi/cbrl'sf J E517. far-5 DISPENSER FOR LAUNDRY MACHINE Raymond P. De Lisle, Benton Harbor, and William G. Gilchrist, St. Joseph, Mich., assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, St. Joseph, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 4, 1957, Ser. No. 700,576

1 Claim. (Cl. 137-132) The present invention relates to improvements in washing machines or the like, to which additives or agents are added to the washing-fluid. T

More particularly, the invention relates to an improved laundering machine having apparatus for supplying an additive or agent to the washing fluid, and

especially a rinsing additive which is automatically admixed and supplied to the washing tub or container at the'proper time during the cycle or operation, and having an improved apparatus for handling and adding'the rinse additive or agentf' T f, An object of he invention ,isfito provide in combinag Anqther object of the inventionv is providean ini proved device for, supplying additives or, agents to wash water. wherein an improved container is employedffor containing theagent and for completely emptying the container. substantially without a vestige of liquid'left at the end of its operationp Another'object of the invention ,is to provide an improved apparatus forsupplying an agent to an automatic operations.

washing machine and for mixing theagent with incoming washing fluid in an improved manner.

j A further object of the invention is to provide an agent adding device for an automatic washing machine, with means such as a siphon for draining the adding mechanism, and wherein overflow of the mechanism due to ice 2 washer cabinet, and embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the tank for admixing and adding the agent to a laundering or washing machine;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view showing the tank for the agent to be added to the laundry machine;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line VV of Figure 3, with the view having been enlarged;

Figure 6 is a perspective view, with parts broken away of the flow discharge end of the tank for the agent to be added to the laundering machine; and,

- Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line VIIVII of Figure 3.

Figure 1 illustrates a tank or container 10, for an ingredient, additive, agent or the like which is to be added to a washing fluid. The washing machine is shown in the form of an automatic washer or laundry machine 12 which is housed in a cabinet 14. Within the cabinet is a tub 16 for containing laundering fluid to be applied to articles to be laundered. In the present instance, a clothes laundering machine is illustrated, and the clothes are contained within a basket 18 which is mounted within the tub 16. The basket 18 is preferably perforated so that washing fluid will flow in through the perforations to engage clothes within the interior 20, and so that washing fluid or liquid will be extracted from the clothes when the basketis spun at a relatively high speed during the spin-dry operation, after the washing and "rinsing Launderingfluid is applied to the articles to be launderedflby an agitator 22l The agitator is mountedfor oscillation on a support shaft 24 which is driven by a suitable gear mechanism within a gear case 26.

The basket '18isalsorotated by power obtained from the. gear case and is mounted on a shaft 28-which surrounds the shaft operating the agitator and is' coaxial therewith. For 'supplying power to drive the agitator, and rotate the. basket, an electric motor 30 is provided. A drive shaft 32 of the motorcarries a driving pulley 34, which drives a belt 36, which in turn passes over a pulley 38 connected to a shaft 40 leading into the gear-case 26.

' Laundering fluid is drained from the tub 16 through v on the drive shaft at the other'end of the motor 30.

improper operation-of the siphon or the like will not or'container for automatically supplying an additiveor agent to the fluid of a laundering machine, and wherein the agent isautomatically mixed with the supply of laundering fluid and the container is flushed during mixing. a

' A still further object of the invention is to provide a tank or container for containingand supplying an addi five or agent to a washing or laundering machine, and which is provided with-a siphon of improved design and improved construction for emptying the container.

I Other objectsand advantages will become more apparent withthe teaching of. the principles of the invention-and with the disclosure of the preferred embodiment thereof in the specification, claim and drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front ,elevational view of an automatic laundry machine with the mechanism within the cabinet being'shown somewhat schematically to illustrate the relative operation of the parts; "Figure 2 is an enlarged sideelevational view of a The discharge from the pump. leads to a drain line .52, which may lead to a suitable drain, or to a valve controlling drain to a suds storage chamber or the like. The pump 44 may also be provided withv a control valve 54 to regulate the drain flow from the tub 16.

The operating motor 30 and the valve 54 are electrically controlled and are operated with, the other automatic mechanism of the machine from a presettable cycle control timer 56. The timer 56 operates a series of switches, and through leads 58, controls the various elements in the predetermined sequential order. The leads, 58 connect to the motor 30, the valve 54, and connect to control power emanating from the gear case 26 to determine operation of the agitator 22, and the rotation of the basket 18.

The presettable cycle control timer 56 also connects to a valve 60 which controls the flow of fluid or liquid into the tub in a manner which will be described.

Laundering fluid is supplied to thetub 16 through a first regular inlet conduit 62 which is supplied from hot I and cold water lines 64 and 66. These lines lead tothe valve 60 which is a mixing valve. The mixing valve is providedwith a by-pass or a like arrangement, whereby the laundering may be sentthrough a second conamas 3 duit 68 leading to the agent tank 10, instead ofthrough the conduit 62. The conduit 68 terminates in an opening or a nozzle 79 which is directed across the floor of the agent tank 1t? in a manner which will later be described.

As illustrated in detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the tank or container for the agent to be mixed with the washing fluid is secured within the appliance cabinet 12. The cabinet is provided with a cover 72 which is preferably pivoted about one edge in order that it may be moved between closed position, as shown in Figure 2, and open position wherein articles to be laundered may be inserted or removed from the basket 18,

The tank 1t? has a floor 74 with walls extending upright therefrom to form a container for the agent or additive. At the sides of the tank floor 74, are side walls 76 and 78, and joining the side walls in an outer end wall 80. At the inner end 82 is a combination of walls which are constructed and function in a unique manner, as will be described.

For supporting the tank in position, a pair of vertical ridges or bosses 84 and 86 project inwardly from the side walls 76 and 78. The bosses have vertical holes 88 and 9% which are threaded toreceive mounting bolts 92, such as shown in Figures 2 and 7. The mounting bolts extend through openings in a downwardly sloping apron 94, which is part of the cabinet 12, and which is bent downwardly around the edge of the cabinet door'72.

The floor 74 of the tank 10 slopes downwardly. This will cause the contents to run downwardly toward the inner end 82. This end is termed the inner end, since it projects inwardly toward the center of the laundering tub 16, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2..

An amount of additive or agent is placed in the tank 18 before the'laundering cycle. The additives are pref erably rinse additives which operate to condition the clothing fibers to obtain an improved condition oi the clothing after the complete laundering operation.

After'the laundering machine has proceeded through the washing cycle and reaches the rinse cycle, washing liquid is directed into the machine through the conduit 68, and is emittedfrorn the nozzle end 70 in a horizontal direction to flow across the floor 74 of the tank. This will cause a uniform mixing of'the'liquid and the agent within the tank. The continued flow of liquid will also insure that all of the agent is washed ,from the floor of the tank so that none remains between laundering cycles.

The liquid and the agent will flow along the inclined floor 74 toward a flow wall '96 which is located at the inner end of the tank floor'74. The upper edge 98 of the wall extends'horizontally, and when suflicient liquid is in the tank, it will rise to flow over the edge 98 of the wall in a waterfall efiect, and downwardly into the tub 16.

Spaced from the flow wall 96 is an end wall 100. This end wall, as illustrated in Figure 6, is spaced from the flow wall 96 to form a flow passageway therebetween.

In construction of the tank, as illustrated in Figure 6, the how wall 96 may be integral with the side walls 76 and 78, and the entire tank may be formed of plastic or the like. The side walls 76 and 78 project outwardly a short distance beyond the flow wall 96, and the end wall 100 is brought up against the projecting ends 102 and 104 of the side walls, and is cemented thereto to provide the flow space 106 between the walls, Figures 3 and 6.

The end wall 100 Men central raised portion 108 which is higher than the sides for connection of a cover 110. The cover 110, as illustrated in Figures 2, '3 and' 4, has ears 112 and 114 through which extend hinge pins 116 and 118 to project into the sides-of the centralportion 108 of the end wall to hingedly mount the cover 110. With the cover supported in this manner, the cover 72 of the cabinet may be opened, and the tank .10 remains closed. Thus, clothingcan be placed into the tub16 and withdrawn without accidentally contacting the contents of the tank 10. Also, the cover may be pivoted to an open position for manually adding the rinse additive, such as by pouring it into the tank with a cup. The cover is supported in closed position, Figure 4, by the surface 120 of the cover 110, which is between the ears 112 and 114, resting on the upper surface of the portion 108 of the end wall :100, or byv other support means.

When the liquid in the tank rises to the elevation of the top 98 of the-flow wall 9'6,'it issiphoned out ofthe container by siphon conduit 122. The conduit is constructed in a unique manner, and employs-the flow area between the flow wall 96, and the end wall 100, but is limited to a relatively narrow space at the center of the end of the tank.

The flow conduit employs an integral element 124 which may be of plastic or the like, and which is U-shaped, as illustrated in Figures 2, 5 and 6. One leg 126 of the U has a groove or channel 128. The sides 130 and 132 of the channel engage the surface 134 of the flow wall 96, and are cemented thereto so as to form a part of the siphon conduit in the groove 128. The floor 74 of the tank is dimpled downwardly at 136, which is located at the center of the end of the tank and forms a puddle as the tank drains so that substantially all of the liquid will be drained from the tank by operation of the siphon.

The other portion of the siphon is formed by the leg 138 of'the member 122, and this'leg is formedof a.first and second partition 140 and 144 with the partitions extending downwardly between the flow wall 96 and the end wall 100. The partitions are cemented thereto to form a flow passageway and complete the siphon conde t- Th en f. h U scmwedso as a ume qmp e s p on. on ui In the event of excessive flow into the tank, or in the event of plugging of the siphon or of the Waterfall area between the flow wall 96 and the end wall 100, the tank will overflow. To prevent overflow at the outer end of. the tank from running outside of the tub and damaging or corroding the operating parts, means are provided to catch theoverflow and direct it into the tub.

For this purpose, safety overflow troughs 148 and 150 are provided. As may be seen in the enlarged detail of Figure 7, the troughs are integral with the. side walls of the and pr oject outwardly and upwardly to form the trough area. The troughs are inclined downwardly toward the. tub to deliver anyoverflow liquid into the tub. illustrated by the troughs 148 in Figure 7, the troughs have a short lower floor area 152 and a sidewall ar a 154. At the rear end of the troughs is an end Wall area 156, as illustrated in Figure 4.

Assembly of the agent tank with the laundry machine cabinet is easily obtained by providing the conduit 68 with an enlarged end 70 that has an annular groove 158, as illustrated in Figure 3. This annular groove slides down into a slot 160, Figure 4, which terminates in a rounded opening 162 to hold the conduit 68 in place.

In operation of the laundry machine, the operator opens the cover 72 of the cabinet, Figure 2, and lifts the cover 110 of the agent tank. A measured amount of additive or agent is poured into the tank, and the cover 110 closed. Clothes to be laundered are then inserted into the basket 18 of the laundry machine and the cover 22 is then closed. The presettable timer 56' is manually started, whereupon the washing machine automatically proceeds through its cycles of operation. For the laundering operation, the valve. 60 directs the mixed flow of liquid of-the proper temperature into the tub through the conduit'62, Figure 1. The agitator 22 is then operated. At the end of the washing operation, the liquid is drained through the drain line 42 by operation of the valve 54 and the pump 44. The washing operation may be followed by a number of rinse operations, and a spray of water may be delivered to the articles within the basket 18 during the'preliminary rinse operations. When the deep rinse operation is reached, the. control valve. 60. is automatically and electrically operated to direct a by-pass flow of liquid through the conduit 6-3 into the tank 10. This causes a mixing of the liquid, and the agent within the tank, and the liquid and agent will flow over the upper edge 98 of the flow wall 96, and will start liquid flowing through the siphon conduit 122. The original even flow of liquid over the horizontal edge 98 of the wall will aid in insuring a compiete mixture between the agent and liquid. If the flow cannot be handled by the siphon, and the space 106 between the walls 96 and .109, overflow on the side Walls 76 and '78 of the tank occurs, and this overflow is caught by the troughs 148 and 150, Figure 3, which direct the overflow liquid into the tub to prevent it from flowing oown the outside of the tub to damage the operating mechanism within the cabinet. When the rinse water is shut off by action of the valve 60, the siphon conduit 122 will drain substantially all of the liquid from the tank 10, inasmuch as the liquid will run into the depression 136 at the end of the tank, and the siphon will drain most of the liquid from the depression.

Thus, it will be seen that we have provided an improved washing machine with a device for automatically supplying an agent to the machine, with the combination meeting the objectives and advantages hereinbefore set forth. The mechanism is automatic in operation, and is simplified in construction and assembly. The arrangement presents an improved siphoning means for emptying the additive tank and prevents accidents which would occur from overflow of the additive tank, thereby operating in complete safety.

We have, in the drawings and specification, presented a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiments of our invention, and it is to be understood that we do not intend to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methods falling within the scope of the principles taught by our invention.

We claim as our invention:

A laundry machine comprising in combination a tub for a laundering fluid which is applied to articles tobe laundered, an open container having a bottom and side walls for containing an agent to be added to fluid for the tub, a siphon conduit leading from, the container to the tub to admiX the agent with the laundering fluid and for removing and draining the contents, and an overflow trough on each of the side walls and positioned on the outside of the container to receive a flow of contents from said container in the event of filling of the container to overflow conditions, each of said troughs defining a discharge passage leading to the tub to admix the container contents with the fluid for the tub.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 568,620 Linstrom Sept. 29, 1896 1,155,946 Miller Oct. 5, 1915 1,297,280 Weston Mar. 11, 1919 2,061,089 Rheinstrom' Nov. 17, 1936 2,130,930 Rose Sept. 20, 1938 2,206,330 Pierce July 2, 1940 2,312,950 Zimarik Mar. 2, 1943 2,391,006 Bryce Dec. 18, 1945 2,523,801 Woodson Sept. 26, 1950 2,534,014 Gayring Dec. 12, 1950 2,634,596 Pendleton Apr. 14, 1953 2,643,537 Woodson June 30, 1953 2,664,900 Fahnoe Jan. 5, 1954 2,712,746 Bochan July 12, 1955 

